Goan footballer found deadCause of death for Sporting Clube de Goa player still not clear, police investigation on Our Special Correspondent Jan 02, 2018 01:43 IST Avrhisto Fernandes
*New Delhi:* A pall of gloom descended on the Goa football fraternity on New Year’s Day, after the sudden death of Avrhisto Fernandes, a young central midfielder from Sporting Clube de Goa, under tragic circumstances. According to Victor Fernandes, the CEO of the club, the 22-year-old footballer was found dead at his residence in Saligao, in the northern part of Goa. On Sunday night, he attended midnight mass and celebrated New Year’s Eve with his friends. But on Monday morning, when his friends returned, he did not open the door. After breaking down the door, they discovered that his body was hanging inside. It was alleged that he had committed suicide. The cause of his death, however, was not clear. His friends, too, could not throw any light on it. “We have no idea if he had taken such a drastic step,” Victor told The Telegraph. “The police have launched an investigation. All we know is that he was a highly talented footballer, who could have gone far in his career. It is a great loss,” he added. Before joining Sporting on a five-year contract in the 2016-2017 season, Avrhisto played for Calangute Association in the Goa Pro-League. He started grassroot football under coach Alex Alvares at Chubby Cheeks High School, Pilerne. Later Alex also played a crucial role in getting him back to shape following a knee operation in 2014-2015. Even former India captain and legendary goalkeeper Brahmanand was at a loss of words as to why such a talented footballer had to die under such circumstances. “He was extremely talented and could have been one of the best in the business,” said Brahmanand. “I remember some years ago, a German company launched a talent hunt in Goa for young boys and I was the chief selector. Avrhisto was there and I selected him. He was taken to Germany along with some other boys for a training camp. “What attracted me was the steely resolve of the boy and his willingness to learn. I can’t believe he turned so vulnerable in the end. It is a loss for football,” said Brahmanand. In 2014, Avrhisto suffered a knee injury and had to be operated upon. Brahmanand recalled he was impressed by the youngster’s mental strength and strong will to return to the field. As a youngster, Avrhisto joined the Brazil Football Academy in 2011-2012 season. In 2012-13, he played for Sporting Clube U-18 team under coach Severino Fernandes and then joined the Sesa Football Academy as their U-20 player in the Goa Pro-League in season 2014-2015. He also represented the state in the national championship for the BC Roy Trophy. Sporting Clube de Goa president Peter Vaz expressed his shock and said that in the tragic passing away of Avrhisto, the club have lost one of its most promising and talented prospects, who, he always felt, would have one day made it to the national squad. This is not the first time such a tragedy has struck Indian football. Back in 2005, Dayanand, a highly talented footballer from Karnataka, ended his life because of some family problems. At that time, he was a national team prospect and many felt he could have made the Asian Games squad. Next year, what shook Indian football was the passing away of former India captain VP Sathyan, who played for Kerala Police, Mohun Bagan and Indian Bank. One of the longest serving captains of India, the stopper-back reportedly got into financial difficulties after his career in football was over. The problem became so acute that he allegedly threw himself in front of a moving train in Chennai. -- _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/ _/ FN* फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا +91-9822122436 _/ RADIO GOANA: https://archive.org/details/@fredericknoronha _/ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ <https://mailtrack.io/> Sent with Mailtrack <https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mailtrack-for-gmail-inbox/ndnaehgpjlnokgebbaldlmgkapkpjkkb?utm_source=gmail&utm_medium=signature&utm_campaign=signaturevirality>
